Apparatus for tuning or installing strings on a musical instrument

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hand-held device for tensioning and stabilizing the strings of a stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, during tuning or installation of the strings. In one embodiment, the device comprises a structure having a pair of arms that define a substantially forked or "V" shape. In use, the device is positioned against the neck of the guitar and a string is threaded between a pair of spools on at least one of the arms of the device. The device is then pivoted about an apex to lift the string away from the guitar neck and apply tension thereto during tuning or installation of the string. The device allows for easy tensioning of the string during the tuning or installation process.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for tensioning a string of a musical instrument, comprising: a structure having a first portion comprising a first arm defining a first outer edge and a second portion comprising a second arm defining a second outer edge, wherein the first and second arms meet at an apex so to define a v-shaped structure the first outer edge and the second outer edge defining an angle therebetween;   a first string support on the structure, the first string support configured to support a string of the musical instrument, wherein the first string support is positioned on the first portion a first distance from the first outer edge;   a second string support on the structure, the second string support configured to support the string of the musical instrument, wherein the second string support is positioned on the first portion a second distance from the first outer edge; wherein the structure is sized to be held in the hand of the user.     
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first distance and the second distance are different so that the string bends along its length when the string is threaded between the first support and the second support. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a handle on an end of the second arm. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second string supports comprise spools. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for tensioning a string of a musical instrument, comprising: a first arm having a side surface;   a second arm connected to the first arm so that an apex and a v-shaped structure are formed between the second arm and the first arm;   a handle on an end of the second arm distal of the apex;   a first spool on the side surface the first arm, the first spool defining a convex support surface;   a second spool on the side surface the first arm, the second spool defining a convex support surface, wherein the string is threaded between the first spool and the second spool so that the string bends along its length when threaded between the first spool and the second spool.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first spool and the second spool are each fixedly mounted to the first arm. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first spool and the second spool each have an outer lip that defines a channel sized to receive the string of a musical instrument. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first spool is positioned a first distance from the bottom edge of the second arm and the second spool is positioned a second distance from the bottom edge of the second arm, the first distance and the second distance being different. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for tuning a stringed instrument having a string, comprising: a handle;   an arm attached to the handle so that the arm and the handle define an apex and a v-shaped structure   a pair of spools coupled to the arm, the pair of spools configured to receive the string therebetween when the apparatus is positioned on a neck of the stringed instrument, wherein the spools place the string in tension when the apparatus is positioned on the neck and the handle is moved toward the neck.   
     
     
       10. A method of applying tension to a string of a musical instrument, comprising: placing a tensioning apparatus against a neck of the musical instrument such that a first arm of the tensioning apparatus is positioned flat against the neck and a second arm of the tensioning apparatus extends upwardly from the neck;   threading the string of the musical instrument through a pair of spools on the first arm of the tensioning apparatus;   pivoting the tensioning apparatus about an apex between the first arm and second arm so that at least a portion of the string is moved away from the neck to reduce slack in the string and apply tension thereto;   tightening the string onto the guitar while applying tension to the string.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein threading the string comprises placing the string between the pair of spools so that the string bends along the length of the string. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, additionally comprising sliding the tensioning apparatus along at least a portion the length of the neck so that the bend in the string travels along at least a portion of the length of the string. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein pivoting the tensioning apparatus comprises moving the first arm of the tensioning apparatus away from the neck and moving the second arm of the tensioning apparatus toward the neck.